Lemon balm: properties, uses and contraindications

Lemon balm, a plant with a powerful fragrance, is a classic traditional and herbal remedy to calm the nerves, improve heavy or nervous digestion and relieve migraines.

the lemon balm (melissa officinalis) is also known as melissa, for its penetrating citrus flavor. It is also called citronella or lemon verbena, for the same reason. There is no doubt that it is one of the best-tasting medicinal plantswhen taken as an infusion, both hot and cold.

Related to mint and thyme –labiates–, lemon balm is a discreet plant, up to 70 cm tall, covered with fine hair, with oval leaves and pink or white flowers, grouped in whorls. It is common throughout Europe, where it blooms in spring, and appears in humid environments, such as riverbanks, ravines, streams and wet meadows.

For medicinal purposes, the flowering tops of lemon balm are harvested, which give off a intense citrus aroma. This citrus aroma is transmitted to the infusion of lemon balm, which is very pleasant.

Melissa properties

As with other plants in the same family, lemon balm is very rich in essential oil, with terpenes (limonene, pinene), citral and citronellal and alcohols (linalool). It also contains phenolic acids, such as chlorogenic and caffeic, flavonoids, bitter principles and tannins.

The following properties are attributed to it:

Digestive properties. Carminative properties. Diuretic properties. Antiseptic properties. Antiviral properties. Antispasmodic properties. Slightly sedative properties. Expectorant properties. Healing properties.

What is the lemon balm used for?

Melissa for digestion:

Lemon balm is an excellent digestive and nervous tonic. It is indicated for:

Relieve heavy digestions or digestions altered by accumulation of nerves. Eliminate bloating and gas. Improve diarrhea, especially when it may have a nervous origin. Treat mild liver disorders, food allergies and light poisoning. Relieve migraine associated with digestive disorders or liver, in combination with analgesic plants.

Melissa for nerves:

As a relaxing and diuretic plant at the same time, lemon balm helps control blood pressure, nervous palpitations and insomnia, but its effectiveness at this point is limited. It can help reduce nervous states, in case of irritability, mild anxiety, tachycardia and stress.

Melissa for women:

Lemon balm is a good ally for women’s health. It is used to treat menstrual tension, dysmenorrhea and some symptoms of menopausesuch as muscle pain, headaches or insomnia.

Lemon balm for respiratory conditions:

As an antiseptic and expectorant plant, generally in combination with mucilaginous and antipyretic plants, lemon balm is indicated as a traditional remedy in colds, flu episodes, other viral infectionsbronchitis, respiratory allergies and as support in mild or very mild asthmatic processes.

Melissa for the skin:

The lemon balm, in the form of fresh plant juicehas been used to relieve discomfort from insect bites, such as wasps, horseflies, mosquitoes or even ants.

It can be a natural solution for the treatment of herpes simplex, although its effectiveness is not sufficiently proven. It has been used as a healing agent on superficial wounds, bumps and bruises.

How to take lemon balm

The lemon balm is taken mainly in the form of infusion, with the incentive of its good taste. Typically, it is recommended to drink two cups a day, without the need to sweeten.

You can also find it in the form of tincturein drops of liquid extract and the fresh plant juiceto take about 2 ml up to three times a day.

The concentrated infusion is applied soaking compresses or in a local bathroom as vulnerary and healing on skin impurities. The infusion is also applied in the bath as a muscle relaxant.

He essential oil used for the same purpose in the form of massage or frictiondiluted with the infusion of lemon balm, rosehip and witch hazel.

How to take lemon balm to sleep better:

You can make a simple lemon balm infusion or combine it with passion flower, California poppy, hops and bitter orange. Two cups are taken a day, the last one half an hour before going to bed.

Thoroughly mix the plants in equal parts (for example, about 15 g of each). Separate 5 g of this mixture per glass of water that you are going to prepare. Boil the water for one minute and let it rest for 10 more minutes, covered.

How to take lemon balm for anxiety:

You can take an infusion of lemon balm combined with hawthorn, valerian, lime, lavender and marjoram, plus star anise.

Mix the plants in equal parts. Separate a level tablespoon of the mixture per glass of water. Boil for 2 minutes and let it rest, covered, for another 10. Strain and add a natural sweetener, such as agave syrup or similar.

It is recommended to drink up to three glasses a day, while the symptoms persist.

How to take lemon balm for nervous indigestion, with diarrhea:

You can prepare an infusion of lemon balm with loosestrife, wild rose, Roman chamomile and fennel.

Mix the plants well in equal parts (for example, 20 g of each). Separate a tablespoon of this mixture for each cup to be prepared. Place the herbs in a teapot and pour the recently boiled water over them. Let it rest for about 10 minutes and you filter it.

Two cups are taken a day, after meals.

What is the water of Carmen

The water of Carmen is a liquor that was made with medicinal plantsincluding lemon balm, but also rosemary, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon, plus a certain percentage of alcohol.

Now few people know or remember the famous Carmen water, but it was considered a prodigious remedy that was used for almost everything, especially for digestion, migraines, gas and even depression. Some people ended up abusing it, especially in rural environments, and not a few addictions to alcohol occurred in this way. The Carmen water was also known as lemon balm water or lemon balm water.

Contraindications of lemon balm

Lemon balm is a plant basically safe in most of his performances. However, it is necessary not to abuse it, and do not exceed doses prescriptive.

He essential oil Internally it should be taken with caution and always diluted. It can cause bradycardia, apnea and hypotension and is contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation and for children under 12 years of age.

By Jordi Cebrián, expert in phytotherapy